John Jay Institute Chaplain Promoted in Uganda

The Rev. Dr. Christopher Byaruhanga has been promoted to the rank of full Professor in the Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology at Uganda Christian University, according to a press release issued yesterday. He is currently participating in a year-long academic fellowship as a visiting Chaplain and Theologian in residence at the John Jay Institutein Colorado Springs, Colorado. The promotion is considered to be an honor.

It is unclear what, if any, role the Uganda Christian University has played in the Anti-Homosexual Bill pending in the country. The bill, which would make homosexuality a crime punishable by death or life imprisonment, also criminalizes all free speech and defense of gay people in Uganda and provides criminal penalties against friends and family members who refuse to report LGBT people to the police. American anti-gay evangelicals have played a significant role in igniting the political climate in Uganda, according to Box Turtle, and the American religious movement as a whole has not condemned the bill. The U.S. Embassy and various representatives have condemned the bill.

About D. Beeksma

One of the growing crowd of American "nones" herself, Deborah is a prolific writer who finds religion, spirituality and the impact of belief (and non-belief) on culture inspiring, fascinating and at times, disturbing. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work. Her education and background is in business, ecommerce and law.